A former RAF man who converted to Islam after serving in Afghanistan has been arrested by counter-terrorism police.

Stephen Gray, 31, was arrested at his home on Worthington Street, Old Trafford, on suspicion of commission, preparation or instigation of acts of terrorism.

A 50-year-old man and a 21-year-old man were also arrested in the south Manchester and Trafford areas as part of an investigation by the North West Counter Terrorism Unit. Their properties were also searched by counter-terror officers.

Mr Gray wasn’t available for comment when contacted by the M.E.N. last night but his arrest was confirmed by a relative. In an interview with another newspaper the former serviceman strenuously denied being involved in any terrorist activity.

He described how his passport had previously been seized earlier this year when he returned to Manchester Airport following a trip to Bulgaria as officials believed he might be ‘involved in Islamist extremist activity’.

He added that he had been travelling to make a series of videos about the mistreatment of Muslims stopped at international borders. and denies being involved in any terrorist activity.

Mr Gray, who served as a senior aircraftman in No 2 Squadron of the RAF Regiment and also uses the name Mustafa, left the armed forces in 2004.

He told the Telegraph he had become unhappy with Britain’s conduct in the Iraq war having been stationed at Baghdad airport shortly after the US-led invasion of the country.

Since leaving the RAF he has held down a range of jobs including as a bricklayer and in a call centre. The North West Counter Terrorism Unit investigation is understood to have carried out arrests in relation to overseas activity and not a domestic terror plot.

A GMP spokesman confirmed the men were “arrested on suspicion of commission, preparation or instigation of acts of terrorism”.

He said: “Three warrants were executed in the Trafford and south Manchester areas and those properties are currently being searched. The investigation centres on activity overseas and there is no risk to any communities in Manchester.”